Urgent call for suspension of Gauteng judge arrested over bribery claims in civil case
Gauteng High Court judge Portia Dipuo Phahlane was arrested by the Hawks on charges of corruption and money laundering.
Image: File
Civil society organisation Judges Matter says the serious allegations against Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Dipuo Phahlane, who has been accused of taking a bribe related to a civil case she is presiding over, require immediate action from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
IOL reported that Phahlane was one of four people arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) late Tuesday night in connection with a corruption and money-laundering investigation.
The investigation is linked to a succession dispute within the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC).
The suspects, aged between 32 and 64, face charges including corruption and money laundering and are scheduled to appear before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday morning.
It is alleged that the judge received a gratification from a person who sought to include a civil case that she is presiding over in the Gauteng High Court.
Judges Matter, which is a watchdog for the judiciary, said in a statement that the judge should immediately be removed from her judicial duties. It called on the JSC to urgently advise the president to suspend Phahlane under section 19 of the Judicial Service Commission Act 9 of 1994.
“The allegations against the judge are extremely serious and strike at the heart of a judge’s constitutional duty to adjudicate legal disputes without fear, favour or prejudice,” Judges Matter said in a statement.
Judges Matter said the seriousness of the allegations requires the JSC to invoke the “extraordinary route” under section 19(1)(b) of the JSC Act.
This would involve requesting the Chief Justice to appoint a Judicial Conduct Tribunal while simultaneously advising the president to suspend the judge - a step the organisation said may be unprecedented.
Alison Tilley, Judges Matter co-ordinator, said, “While the judge is innocent until proven guilty, the extreme seriousness of the allegations requires the JSC to act urgently to place the judge on suspension even at this early stage. Any delay would cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the judiciary.”
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the investigation revealed a money trail amounting to millions of rand that allegedly changed hands among the accused.